Water regulator and power governor

ABSTRACT

Equipment detects the first small amount of air which is pumped from a liquid source and uses it for governing the power or liquid flow. This is accomplished by attaching an air separating relief vent to the discharge pipe of the pump. The vented pressurized air is captured and used to activate air driven cylinders which control the water flow or the power source by decreasing the speed of the pump or by choking the outlet of the pump or by increasing the fluid supply to the pump.

ni Stes PurteTl 1 WATER REGULATOR AND POWER GOVERNOR [75] lnventor: Rufus .l. lPurtell, Brownfield, Tex. [73] Assignee: Tri-Matic,1nc., Brownfield, Tex.

[22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 311,706

[52] US. Cl 417/34, 417/53, 417/211.5,

[51] llnt. C1. 1104b 49/04, F041) 49/00 [58] Field 01' Search 137/202; 417/34, 38, 44, 417/53, 211.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,754,945 4/1930 Haskell 137/202 2,009,659 7/1935 Hill et a1 417/34 2,728,196 12/1955 Bowser 137/202 2,765,743 10/1966 Hollinshead 417/44 [111 Sept. 17, 197

2,804,516 8/1957 Staat 417/38 2,945,446 7/1960 Mason I .1; 417/ 38 3,514,217 5/1970 Reiss 417/43 3,551,071 12/1970 Hoover 417/44 Primary Examiner-William L. Fr'eeh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wendell Coffee 5 7 ABSTRACT Equipment detects the first small amount of air which is pumped from a liquid source and uses it for governing the power or liquid flow. This is accomplished by attaching an air separating relief vent to the discharge pipe of the pump. The vented pressurized air is captured and used to activate air driven cylinders which control the water flow or the power source by decreasing the speed of the pump or by choking the outlet of the pump or by increasing the fluid supply to the pump.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures mamas PAIENTEBSEP 1 71914 SHEET 1 [IF 3 FIENTED I 71974 3 9 8&6 285 SHEET 2 UF 3 W nn 51 I :1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to fluid flow by pumps and more particularly to regulators for liquid pumps.

2. Description of the Prior Art Problems exist when pumping from confined reservoirs.

Particularly in the field of agricultural irrigation, a problem exists when pumping from underground water sources.

Specifically, when a pump is pumping from an underground water source, often the reservoir is over 100 feet below the surface of the earth. The water flow characteristics of the underground formations result in only a limited flow of water being available. Ifthe pump is operated at a capacity greater than the availability of water, the pump breaks suction, which means that the inlet of the pump is above the liquid level within the reservoir. When this happens, a slug of air is pumped. Of course, this reduces the load upon the pump. If the pump is being powered by a spark ignition internal combustion engine with conventional throttle control, the motor will race wildly, often causing damage to the motor and the pump. Since most all of the pump bowl bearings are water lubricated, pumping large volumes of air will destroy the bowls.

Various measures have been suggested in the prior art. E.g., the pump could be run with a speed regulating governor. A float valve could be placed in the reservoir and the pump speed adjusted responsive thereto.

In other installations, an electric motor is used. If the pump is pumping more than the water supply, the pump will not race wildly ahead, but will continue to operate, pumping air which will wear out the pump. A common practice means of regulation is to place a choke in the outlet of the pump and to manually increase the choke until the pump only operates to pump the water available. This practice is very hard to do as the supply fluctuates from time to time.

Because a specific example of agricultural irrigation has been used, it does not mean that the invention is so limited. There are other situations where pumps require regulation. One example is pumping water from construction excavations, another is water in basement sumps, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION New and Different Function I have solved the problem outlined above by detection of the minimum liquid level permissible above the inlet of the pump by detecting the presence of small amounts of air in the outlet of the pump.

Although it might appear easier to detect the fact that the liquid level is undesirably low at the inlet of the pump by a float at the inlet, the mechanism is such case is more complex. For example, in the case of an irrigation well, the inlet of the pump at the reservoir would be 100 feet below the surface of the earth and the controls would be on the surface of the earth. In the case of draining water from excavation projects, normally, the pumps are portable, receive rough handling by the workmen and the inlet may be in different relationships to the pump.

The mechanism to carry out my invention includes a simple float chamber upon the top of the outlet pipe of the pump which can be rigidly attached thereto in a rugged fashion. A simple air conduit leads to an air pressure motor, which can be rigidly attached to the member it controls. In the case of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, it would be the throttle. Therefore, it is possible to attach a diaphram motor immediately adjacent to the throttle arm. It is emphasized that a connection between the air detection device and the motor is an air conduit and this can be by flexible tubing or otherwise.

Although it is more complicated conceptionally than the float valve, mechanically it is much simpler. Objects of this Invention An object of this invention is to regulate a pump sys tem to maintain the liquid level a preset distance above the pump inlet.

Other objects are achieve the above with a device that is sturdy, compact, durable, lightweight, simple, safe, efficient, versatile, and reliable, yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, install, adjust, and maintain.

Further objects are to achieve the above with a method that is versatile, rapid, efficient, and inexpensive, and does not require skilled people to install, adjust, operate, and maintain.

The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses, and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawing, the different views of which are not necessarily to the same scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system according to this invention in generalized application.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an irrigation wellhead as driven by a spark ignition internal combustion engine with parts fragmentarily shown and other parts broken away for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an agricultural irri gation wellhead as driven by an electric motor with parts broken away for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional schematic representation of the flow of water in a well.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring specifically to FIG. 1, there may be seen a general layout schematically representing the pumping system. Pump It) has its inlet 12 within reservoir 14. Motor 16 powers the pump. Air separator or air relief valve 18 is located upon outlet 20 of the pump it). If the liquid within the reservoir 14 gets below the minimum level above the inlet 12 of the pump, pressurized air will be exhausted from the air relief valve 18. The releasedair is connected by conduit 22 to air pressure motor 24 connected to the motor 16 which is the power source for the pump 10. By means described later, the air pressure motor will decrease the speed of the power source; therefore, causing the pump 10 to pump less water. If less water is pumped from the reservoir 14, the liquid level within the reservoir may rise so less air is pumped. Captured air within conduit 22 is gradually discharged or bled off by air bleed valve 26. Therefore, after the air which was trapped within the conduit be cause the pump it) pumped air has had a chance to equalize and bleed off, the pressure within the conduit 22 is at atmospheric pressure. Then the air pressure motor 24 relaxes, permitting the motor 16 to regain its normal speed. It may be seen that if the speed of the motor and the rate of pumping of the pump were such so the pump pumped a small amount of air at the same rate as the bleed-off valve 26 exhausts it to the atmosphere, a state of equilibrium would exist, allowing maximum water to be pumped and a minimum amount of air.

When the pump 10 is first placed into service, the entire system may be filled with air. As the pump 10 first begins to pump liquid, there will be a large amount of air pumped at that time. It is not desired at that time to slow down the pump 10. Opening start valve 28 in the conduit 22 prohibits the build up of pressure within the conduit. Thus, the regulator system is inactivated by opening the start valve 28.

If valve 30 is closed to the air pressure motor 24 leading to the power source 16 and the valve 32 is opened which connects the conduit 22 to air pressure motor 34 attached to choke valve 36, another method of operation is in effect. In this mode of operation, the fluid flow within the system is regulated by increasing the back pressure upon the pump 10 by closing the valve 36 or choking the outlet of the pump.

Analysis of operation will show that it is quite similar to the previous operation in that when the pump 10 pumps the liquid from the reservoir 14 below the desired level and air is present in the outlet 20, this air pressure will activate the air pressure motor 34 to close the choke valve 36. There again, a state of equilibrium is reached when the pump pumps the amount equal to the refill rate in the reservoir.

If the operator has any control at the rate of refill of the reservoir, this control may be utilized to alter the fluid flow within the system. I.e., assuming that the reservoir is being filled by refill pump 38 controlled by reservoir motor 40, then, if the level of the reservoir drops below the level desired, an increase in speed of the reservoir motor 40 will cause an increase of flow to refill the reservoir. In such a case, the other conduit valves are closed and valve 42 in conduit 22 is opened which is connected to air pressure motor 44 which is connected to reservoir motor 40. In this instance, the operation is different from the previous instance because in the previous two instances, when the air was detected in the outlet pipe 20, thus indicating a low level of the reservoir, the fluid flow, was decreased. However, in this instance, the fluid flow would be increased by increasing the speed of the motor so there would be an increase in the amount of liquid pumped. In each case, the liquid level in the reservoir is controlled.

Referring to specific embodiments, FIG. 2 shows a specific embodiment as would be used on an irrigation well using an internal combustion engine. The pump itself is not illustrated in FIG. 2 inasmuch as the pump would be located far below the surface of the earth. (See FIG. 4). However, the pump is driven through gear head 210, setting upon top of wellhead and the outlet 220 extends therefrom. The gear head is driven by drive shaft 212 leading from power source or motor, which is not shown, but only the manifold 216 and carburetor 217 thereof are shown. The air separator valve 218 is shown to include a simple ball valve which floats and if the air chamber 219 is full of water, the ball 221 floats against its seat; therefore, preventing any air from flowing from it. Air accumulates in the chamber 219 and the air is released through the valve 218 into conduit 222. Air reservoir tank 223 may be considered as part of the conduit 222. Start valve 228 is located on the bottom of the reservoir tank so any condensate may be readily exhausted.

The conduit 222 in the form of tubing is connected to diaphram motor 224 which is a form of an air pressure motor and is connected by rod 225 to the throttle arm 215 of the throttle within the carburetor 217. Air bleed valve 226 is mounted on top of the diaphram motor. I prefer to mount it at a high point. The bleed valve 226 will be set at a very minute opening and at a high point, it will not become clogged with dirt. The advantage of attaching it to a low point is that it would also drain off the condensate. The throttle valve normally is set by manual arm 246 control through compression springs 248. Therefore, pressure within the diaphram motor 224 will cause it to move to the left as shown in FIG. 2 which will decrease the speed of the motor. When air ceases to be produced by the well and after the valve 226 bleeds off the accumulated pressure within the accumulation tank 223, the motor will increase in speed and return to normal operation. Also, the speed of response and the speed of recovery can be adjusted by making the accumulation tank 223 larger or smaller. Setting the opening of the bleed valve 226 controls the level of the reservoir.

Referring to FIG. 3, there may be seen another installation. In this case, the motor is in the form of electric motor 316, the power source to the pump which also is not shown. (See FIG. 4). Air chamber 319 is considerably enlarged to form an air accumulator. Air separator valve 318 includes valve ball 321 with float ball 308 suspended vertically under it, all contained within cage 306. The air pressure motor in this instance is in the form of cylinder 334 with a piston therein. Conduit 322 which connects the air chamber 319 to the motor 334 is of small diameter. Also, the opening from the valve ball 321 to the conduit 322 is of small diameter. Therefore, the operation is smoothed out or adjusted as to responsiveness by the size of the accumulator capacity of chamber 319 and the balance between bleed valve 326 opening upon the motor 334 and the restriction from the chamber 319 to the motor 334. The output of the motor 334 is connected to arm 315 of choke butterfly valve 336 in outlet 320. The piston operates against spring 348 on the other end of the arm 315. Therefore, if the pump pumps air, it will change the fluid flow in the system, decreasing it so there is an increase in the water in the reservoir. I.e., so the liquid will again be above the top of the inlet of the pump, (not shown in FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 is a representation of the flow of water from underground reservoir into the inlet 412 of pump 410. The pump outlet 420 is vertically above the pump 410 and would extend vertically upward to a wellhead as shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3. The pump outlet 420, pump 410, and inlet 412, are all contained within casing 450, which is perforated as seen at 452. As illustrated, the water flows through the perforations in a cascade or waterfall-like manner to form a reservoir from which the pump 410 takes its suction. It will be understood that there will be considerable turbulence. Even though the water level within the well might be 20 feet above the pump inlet, there will still be considerable entrained air within the water entering into the pump inlet. Also, it will be understood that as the water level lowers, more air will be pumped. There will not be an on-off situation where at one instance absolutely no air will be pumped and at another instance no water will be pumped, but there will be a transitional situation. Therefore, by regulating the air discharged or bled from the conduit, the water level" in the reservoir can be adjusted or controlled. This phenomenon of a whirlpool of air being entrained into the water, even though the water level of the reservoir is above the pump inlet, will also occur where the water is being pumped from a large reservoir. I have definitely ob served air being pumped when the inlet pipe is 2 feet below the surface of a reservoir when the water is being pumped through an inlet inches in diameter at the rate of I200 gallons per minute.

Thus it may be seen that I have provided a mechanically simple system to regulate fluid flow of a system to insure at all times the liquid in the reservoir is above the inlet of the pump.

The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. I do not claim to have invented all the parts, elements or steps described. Various modifica tions can be made in the construction, material, arrangement, and operation, and still be within the scope of my invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured and defined in the following claims. The restrictive description and drawing of the specific examples above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but are to enable the reader to make and use the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, and

b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet and iii. a power source for the pump,

c. the improved method of regulating the system comprising the following steps:

d. detecting if the liquid level in the reservoir is near the pump inlet by e. detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid at the outlet,

f. controlling the level in the reservoir by g. making partial fluid flow adjustment responsive to said detection, by

h. partially choking the outlet to the pump.

2. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, and

b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet and iii. a power source for the pump;

c. the improved method of regulating the system comprising the following steps:

d. detecting if the liquid level in the reservoir is near the pump inlet by e. detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid at the outlet,

f. controlling the level in the reservoir by g. making partial fluid flow adjustment responsive to said detection,

h. attaching a float chamber to the outlet ofthe pump thus detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid,

j. connecting the air from the float chamber to an air pressure motor,

k. slowly bleeding air from the connection to the air pressure motor, and

m. utilizing the output of the air pressure motor to make the fluid flow adjustment.

3. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir,

b. a pump having.

i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet, and iii. a power source for the pump,

c. adjustment means for adjusting fluid flow in the system, and

d. an air separator attached to the outlet;

e. the improved regulator comprising in combination with the above:

f. an air pressure motor,

g. a conduit connecting the air separator to the air pressure motor,

h. a connection from the air pressure motor to said adjustment means, and

j. start means attached to the regulator for inactivating the regulator during periods of abnormal operation such as starting.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said start means is j. a vent valve in said conduit.

5. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, and

b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet and iii. a power source for the pump;

0. the improved method of regulating the system comprising the following steps:

d. detecting if the liquid level in the reservoir is near the pump inlet by e. by detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid at the outlet,

f. controlling the level in the reservoir by g. making partial fluid flow adjustment responsive to said detection,

h. capturing the air detected in the outlet,

j. discharging a portion of the captured air, and

k. using the retained captured air to perform said control steps.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 with additional limitations of m. controlling the level in the reservoir by n. adjusting the rate of discharge of the captured air.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said control is by 0. decreasing the speed of the power source of the pump. 8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said control is by 0. choking the outlet to the pump. 9. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet, and iii. a power source for the pump, 0. adjustment means for adjusting fluid flow in the system, and

7 8 d. an air separator attached to the outlet; j. an adjustable air bleed in the conduit. e. the improved regulator comprising in combination 11. The invention as defined in claim 10 with an addiwithflle aboveI tional limitation of an pressure motor m. start means attached to the regulator for activatg. a conduit connecting the air separatorto the air pressure motor, h. a connection from the air pressure motor to said adjustment means, and j. an air accumulator in the conduit. Start means 10. The invention as defined in claim 9 with an addi- 10 Vent Valve in Said Conduit tional limitation of ing the regulator during periods of abnormal operation such as starting. 12. The invention as defined in claim 1] wherein said 

1. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, and b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet and iii. a power source for the pump, c. the improved method of regulating the system comprising the following steps: d. detecting if the liquid level in the reservoir is near the pump inlet by e. detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid at the outlet, f. controlling the level in the reservoir by g. making partial fluid flow adjustment responsive to said detection, by h. partially choking the outlet to the pump.
 2. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, and b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet and iii. a power source for the pump; c. the improved method of regulating the system comprising the following steps: d. detecting if the liquid level in the reservoir is near the pump inlet by e. detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid at the outlet, f. controlling the level in the reservoir by g. making partial fluid flow adjustment responsive to said detection, h. attaching a float chamber to the outlet of the pump thus detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid, j. connecting the air from the float chamber to an air pressure motor, k. slowly bleeding air from the connection to the air pressure motor, and m. utilizing the output of the air pressure motor to make the fluid flow adjustment.
 3. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet, and iii. a power source for the pump, c. adjustment means for adjusting fluid flow in the system, and d. an air separator attached to the outlet; e. the improved regulator comprising in combination with the above: f. an air pressure motor, g. a conduit connecting the air separator to the air pressure motor, h. a connection from the air pressure motor to said adjustment means, and j. start means attached to the regulator for inactivating the regulator during periods of abnormal operation such as starting.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said start means is j. a vent valve in said conduit.
 5. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, and b. a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet and iii. a power source for the pump; c. the improved method of regulating the system comprising the following steps: d. detecting if the liquid level in the reservoir is near the pump inlet by e. by detecting if there is air in the pumped liquid at the outlet, f. controlling the level in the reservoir by g. making partial fluid flow adjustment responsive to said detection, h. capturing the air detected in the outlet, j. discharging a portion of the captured air, and k. using the retained captured air to perform said control steps.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 with additional limitations of m. controlling the level in the reservoir by n. adjusting the rate of discharge of the captured air.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said control is by o. decreasing the speed of the power source of the pump.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said control is by o. choking the outlet to the pump.
 9. In a liquid pumping system including a. a reservoir, a pump having i. an inlet in the reservoir, ii. an outlet, And iii. a power source for the pump, c. adjustment means for adjusting fluid flow in the system, and d. an air separator attached to the outlet; e. the improved regulator comprising in combination with the above: f. an air pressure motor, g. a conduit connecting the air separator to the air pressure motor, h. a connection from the air pressure motor to said adjustment means, and j. an air accumulator in the conduit.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 9 with an additional limitation of j. an adjustable air bleed in the conduit.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 10 with an additional limitation of m. start means attached to the regulator for activating the regulator during periods of abnormal operation such as starting.
 12. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said start means is n. a vent valve in said conduit. 